Wavin Our Praise

On Palm Sunday we celebrate the TRIUMPHANT ENTRY of Christ into Jerusalem! It was the day that He was allowing His public proclamation as KING OF THE JEWS - Messiah.

The people of Israel took off their coats and cut down palm branches and placed them on the streets, and then they waved the branches in the air as Jesus rode into the city on a donkey.

Matthew 21 NLT

1 As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.” 4 This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said, 5 “Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.’ ” 6 The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it. 8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!” 10 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. 11 And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” 12 Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. 13 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” 14 The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them. 15 The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.” But the leaders were indignant. 16 They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?” “Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’” 17 Then he returned to Bethany, where he stayed overnight. 18 In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, 19 and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” And immediately the fig tree withered up. 20 The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” 21 Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. 22 You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” 23 When Jesus returned to the Temple and began teaching, the leading priests and elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?” 24 “I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied. 25 “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?” They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask us why we didn’t believe John. 26 But if we say it was merely human, we’ll be mobbed because the people believe John was a prophet.” 27 So they finally replied, “We don’t know.” And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things. 28 “But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. 30 Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go. 31 “Which of the two obeyed his father?” They replied, “The first.” Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. 32 For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins. 33 “Now listen to another story. A certain landowner planted a vineyard, built a wall around it, dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice, and built a lookout tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenant farmers and moved to another country. 34 At the time of the grape harvest, he sent his servants to collect his share of the crop. 35 But the farmers grabbed his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. 36 So the landowner sent a larger group of his servants to collect for him, but the results were the same. 37 “Finally, the owner sent his son, thinking, ‘Surely they will respect my son.’ 38 “But when the tenant farmers saw his son coming, they said to one another, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Come on, let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’ 39 So they grabbed him, dragged him out of the vineyard, and murdered him. 40 “When the owner of the vineyard returns,” Jesus asked, “what do you think he will do to those farmers?” 41 The religious leaders replied, “He will put the wicked men to a horrible death and lease the vineyard to others who will give him his share of the crop after each harvest.” 42 Then Jesus asked them, “Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures? ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.’ 43 I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit. 44 Anyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.” 45 When the leading priests and Pharisees heard this parable, they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers. 46 They wanted to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowds, who considered Jesus to be a prophet.

Palm branch was used - symbolic

Matthew 21:1–11 NLT

1 As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.” 4 This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said, 5 “Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.’ ” 6 The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it. 8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!” 10 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. 11 And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

The palm branch was used - symbolic

Palm branch was used - symbolic

Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles)

This feast represents the dwelling in tents when God delivered Israel from Egypt - and annually they celebrated a rememberance of this SALVATION from BONDAGE --

The palm branch was used to make temporary dwellings and the four species of palm decorated the inside of these temporary shelters — but at the start of the feast the branches were waved in the air in PRAISE TO GOD for the salvation He brought from their bondage.

Jesus, riding into Jerusalem, was coming to become the SALVATION OF MAN to free man from the bondage of SIN!!! The waving palm branch in PRAISE FOR SALVATION.

Palm Branches also represented victory in the Roman Empire - the end of conflict! IN a “gentile manner” these same branches being waved signified the triumphal entry to declare the victory of King Jesus who was about to end the conflict of sin through His death on the cross

Used by people on triumphal entry to declare the victory of King Jesus

What they were unaware of is that He came to end conflict between them and sin and death!! His salvation is spiritual!

PRAISE IS BECOMING OF THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN JESUS!!!!

On this unique day in history - the people PRAISED JESUS, WAVING BRANCHES and DECLARING HIS KINGDOM!

The religious leaders REBUKED the people — but Jesus response was telling of the need for such praise!

Luke 19:36–40 NLT

36 As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. 37 When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen. 38 “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!” 39 But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!” 40 He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”

Shouldn’t we be willing to express our praise to the one

we fully know as our King and Savior?

As those who KNOW HIS SALVATION — we should be PEOPLE OF PRAISE!

1. He Wants Our Praise

God inhabits the praises of his people - we become His dwelling place when we gather as the body of Christ and exalt Him - His presence abides

An interesting fact of this Feast of Tabernacles is that it talks about dwelling in temporary shelters ---

In salvation - Christ comes and makes His home within the hearts of man! We become His temple/ tabernacle - even though our bodies are just temporary shelters...

1 Corinthians 6:19 NLT

19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,

Ephesians 2:19–22 NLT

19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

Psalm 22:3 NLT

3 Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.

The Lord is made King on the praises of His people!!!

YES - JESUS WANTS OUR PRAISE!!! He wants to be acknowledged as our King by those receiving HIS SALVATION!

He has come to live IN US and we become His temple — of course the temple was the place of PRAISING GOD!!!

OH CHURCH - we need to wave the palm branch (our arms and hands) and give praise to the King of Kings who desires our praise.

If we don’t do it - the stones will cry out and declare HIS MAJESTY!

2. He is Worthy of Our Praise

What made a person worthy of praise??

Being a King alone was worthy of the honor - but if you look at the Kings of Israel - they went OUT TO BATTLE with their people over the enemy.

They did not just send out armies - they LED ARMIES!!!

The ROMAN PROCESSION OF TRIUMPH was a parade that led the spoils of war, the captive peoples into the city while people cheered and praised the Generals and Leaders for their victory!

He fought the battle and won the victory over the greatest enemy - death and the grave and has power to forgive sin

Jesus fought the battle and won the victory over the greatest enemy - death and the grave and has power to forgive sin

We give praise to humans for singing, acting, playing sports, holding our same political opinions - why do we withhold praise for the one who paid the price to grant eternal life?

Revelation 5:12 NLT

12 And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”

Revelation 4:11 NLT

11 “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

This is the PRAISE and HONOR of the VICTOR!!!

Today - we know Jesus has conquered the grave and redeemed us of our sin through His death and resurrection —

HE IS WORTHY TO BE LIFTED UP!!!

Not just today, but everyday!!

Every time we come together as living stones to build a habitation for Him to dwell --- may our praises ENTHRONE OUR KING!!!

3. He Wins Through Our Praise

Praise brings VICTORY in the life of the believer!!!

A. PRAISE makes the devil flee!

James 4:7–8 NLT

7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

James 4:7 NLT

7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Praise is the act of humbling ourselves before God - we go low and lift HIM HIGH!!

Praise is the act of humbling ourselves before God - we go low and lift HIM HIGH!!

Many people do not want to praise because of their pride --

What will people think of me?? If I raise my hands, dance, shout to God, kneel, cry out to the Lord — all the ways we praise are acts of humility to our human nature, but in doing so we go low and lift HIM HIGH!!!

As we EXALT (LIFT UP) Jesus - we are drawing near to God so He can draw near to us - as we purify our hearts - it sends the devil running!!!

B. PRAISE tears down walls

Joshua 6:20 NLT

20 When the people heard the sound of the rams’ horns, they shouted as loud as they could. Suddenly, the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites charged straight into the town and captured it.

Can we forget when Israel marched around Jericho in silence for 6 days and then on the 7th they stopped and shouted - shouted the Victory of the God of Israel — in that PRAISE the walls of the city collapsed.

God wants to bring victory into our lives and tear down the walls that separate us from the promises HE HAS for us!!

Praise breaks down those walls!!!!

C. PRAISE opens prison doors

Acts 16:25–26 NLT

25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. 26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!

When in prison, it was the praise of Paul and Silas that set them free from the chains, and not them alone — when they praised - ALL WERE SET FREE FROM THEIR CHAINS!!!

Maybe you feel free, but there maybe someone nearby you that is not — when we praise, we are calling on our VICTOR JESUS to set captives FREE!!!

We don’t have to live in bondage to sin, depression, sickness, bitterness, etc — PRAISE makes the chains break!!

CONCLUSION

Praise causes Jesus to triumph in our lives and every situation we may find ourselves in!!!

Praise

As they waved branches to Jesus they were praising the one who would bring them VICTORY!!!

They were declaring their freedom!!

It is not different today--

Wavin our PRAISE before the Lord brings Victory!! and TRIUMPH over our enemies.

Jesus wants our Praise

Jesus is worthy of our Praise

Jesus WINS in our Praise!!!